THE METAL-CATALYZED AUTOXIDATION OF TETRALIN: I. INTRODUCTION. THE COBALT-CATALYZED AUTOXIDATION IN ACETIC ACID

Abstract

The catalytic effect of transition metal salts on the rate of autoxidation of organic substances reaches a constant value at some critical catalyst concentration. Three possible explanations of this phenomena are critically examined. The cobalt acetate catalyzed autoxidation of tetralin in acetic acid has been reinvestigated and the limiting rate of oxidation at high cobalt concentrations has been shown to be due to the production of a steady-state concentration of hydroperoxide. The present results are in fair agreement with the experimental work of Woodward and Mesrobian (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 75, 6189 (1953)) and are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.